MLS

MLS Preview: Philadelphia Union - Houston Dynamo

David Butler II

0

Apr 17, 2014 11:20:00 PM

Coming off a midweek loss, the Union will be looking to rebound against a Houston team trying to return to winning ways itself.

The Philadelphia Union face a quick turnaround after suffering a loss on Wednesday night to the New York Red Bulls, but will get the chance to get things headed in the right direction with a showdown against Eastern Conference rival Houston on Saturday.

Philly's loss to the Red Bulls left the club with seven points from seven games this season, just one point better than Houston but with two more matches played. The Union have won just once so far this term, but the club has yet to taste defeat at home with two draws and a win from three matches at PPL Park.

That trend bodes well for Philadelphia against a Houston side that has yet to find its footing on the road, where the Dynamo have lost to New England and Vancouver in their only two away matches of the year.

The New England loss was especially troubling for the Dynamo, with the team registering not a single shot on goal in a 2-0 defeat, leaving striker Giles Barnes urging his teammates to let fly more often.

“Shoot,” the Englishman told MLSsoccer.comon Tuesday. “That’s what we’ve got to do: start shooting. I think we’re overdoing it in some areas instead of shooting. That’s just the confidence everyone has in each other to let each have the ball, but we’ve got to get more shots off.

“We know that our passing’s got to be a little bit crisper and we’ve got to get it right.”

The Dynamo are on a three-game swing through the Northeast, with the match against Philadelphia set to be followed by another road match against the New York Red Bulls. For the Union, this match represents the last time the club will be at home until mid-May when D.C. United comes to town.